Dove season about to open with bang

Tuesday

Aug 19, 2014 at 9:30 PM

Peter Ottesen/Record Correspondent

Among the most cherished outdoors traditions is the season’s first wing shooting opportunity — the opening of dove hunting on Sept. 1 — when families and friends gather to go afield, share memories and a barbecue about sundown, when a fare of tasty mourning and Eurasian-collared doves once again will grace their palates.

There will be plenty of chances for a good shoot, too. The state Department of Fish and Game Commission has upped the daily limit for mourning doves to 15, and set an unlimited take on the non-native Eurasian-collared doves in an attempt to reduce their numbers.

Most dove hunters cannot remember when the limit was greater than 10 birds, but a combination of wing samples and leg band returns by sportsmen indicate the species is flourishing in California. The possession limit is double after the opener. Eurasian-collared doves do not count in the bag.

Since dove hunting occurs near populated areas, especially on the outskirts of towns in wheat and safflower fields, orchards and vineyards, residents should be prepared for the sounds of gunfire that will erupt starting 30 minutes before sunrise. Wardens will be in the field, too, and offer words of advice.

It is the hunter’s responsibility to know what they are shooting, including the differences between the smaller mourning dove and the pigeon-sized Eurasian-collared doves, which are larger and easily identified by a black ring around their necks and broad, square tails. Study the differences by looking at photos to be certain of the target.

Dove season is split, running Sept. 1-15, then Nov. 9-Dec. 23. Hunters must possess a valid 2014-15 hunting license and an upland game bird stamp to take part. Youth under 15 years need only possess a valid junior hunting license.

Check out the Department of Fish and Wildlife website to learn about public dove hunting areas on nearby state and federal refuges, as well as on the Cosumnes River Preserve west of Galt. Hunters also may obtain information at the new Fish and Wildlife office at 2109 Arch-Airport Road in Stockton, or call (209) 234-3420.

Mourning doves are not the only migratory bird experiencing population explosions. Scientists are predicting the largest wintering migration of ducks and geese since continental surveys began in 1955. Every species of waterfowl, except northern pintail and canvasback, are at or near all-time record numbers.

For most parts of the state, waterfowl hunting seasons will run 100 consecutive days, opening Oct. 18 and running through Jan. 25. The limit is seven ducks a day, 21 in possession after the opener. The goose limit, however, has been increased to unprecedented numbers, 25 a day and 75 in possession.

“A wet spring and above-average breeding conditions in Canada, Alaska and the prairie states have produced an abundance of waterfowl,” said Dan Yparraguirre, deputy director of Fish and Wildlife. “There will be plenty of birds filling the sky, no doubt.”

Even in a third year of drought, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 dedicates water for 18 state and federal refuges and the Grassland Water District of Merced County, assuring there will be ample seasonal marshes to accommodate the birds. These areas will receive 30 to 75 percent of normal. Already there are massive flocks of northern pintail flying into the Central Valley, the first arriving at Volta Wildlife Area west of Los Banos the first week of August.

Suisun Marsh, Napa marshlands and wetlands on the northern rim of San Francisco Bay, have plenty of water and the new arrivals are pouring in daily. Peak migration generally occurs in early November.

Waterfowl hunters must possess a valid 2014-15 license, migratory duck stamp and a California state duck stamp before going afield.